Euclid Veteran Honored with Trip to Nation's Capital

by Jill Ellis

Artis Smith in front of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Artis Smith, a Euclid resident, ViaQuest hospice patient and Vietnam veteran, was nominated and selected to participate in the Honor Flight Cleveland’s TLC, “Their Last Chance,” program. Through this program, the Honor Flight pays tribute to our veterans by providing them with an all-expenses-paid day trip to Washington D.C. Once there, they tour the capital and visit the various memorials that pay tribute to their service.

As a corporal in the army, Smith was stationed at Ft. Polk in Louisiana and served one year in Vietnam. Prior to this flight he had never visited Washington D.C., and it was his wish to see the nation’s capital and the monuments that meant so much to him. Striving to make his dream a reality, ViaQuest submitted an application on Smith’s behalf, and he was then selected for the October 28th flight.

During the trip, Smith was able to do all of the activities he had looked forward to, including taking pictures at the memorials and picking up souvenirs to remember his special day. He also enjoyed meeting the other veterans that shared the trip with him. Since his return, Smith has expressed his joy and excitement over the once in a lifetime experience.

We at ViaQuest feel honored to have been a part in helping pay tribute to Smith, and we express our sincerest thanks to Honor Flight Cleveland for their amazing work.